Mental health advocates outraged by Batchelder comment

Wednesday

Apr 10, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 11, 2013 at 11:33 AM

House Speaker William G. Batchelder was denounced by mental-health advocates for saying on Tuesday that 20 members of the Republican caucus would rather shoot themselves than support the proposed Medicaid expansion. "For anybody to make a mockery by saying that they would rather shoot themselves than help people get care is outrageous," said Carolyn Givens, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder was denounced by mental-health advocates for saying on Tuesday that 20 members of the Republican caucus would rather shoot themselves than support the proposed Medicaid expansion.

“For anybody to make a mockery by saying that they would rather shoot themselves than help people get care is outrageous,” said Carolyn Givens, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation.

Terry Russell, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio, said words hurt.

“Linking this statement to the demise of services that could prevent people from wanting to take their own life is unconscionable,” he said. “We currently live in a world that discriminates against and stigmatizes those with this terrible illness. We expect more from our elected leaders."

Yesterday, Batchelder said he didn’t recall making the comment but said it was “stupid.”

Batchelder spokesman Mike Dittoe said the comments were not meant to be offensive and pointed out the House’s plan increases funding for mental-health services.

“(Batchelder) was merely expressing some members’ serious problems with expanding Medicaid because of cost overruns and their concern that the federal government will not be able to maintain its commitment,” Dittoe said.